Living to be a Light
At age two, as the living room lights casts shadows on her face, Jaeky Spencer made her debut appearance. She was standing on the fireplace while holding a spoon that acted as a microphone in her tiny hand. In that moment, the fireplace was her stage, and her parents were her fans. She sang with all her might and put on a show for all to see.
As the years have passed, the fireplace had changed to an actual stage, and the spoon has morphed into a microphone. At the age of 17, her dreams already have been replaced with reality. Blue Valley Southwest junior has managed to use her musical talent and faith in Christ to reach out to youth all over her school and church.
Grace Church is the location where she attends services and utilizes her talent. Off the stage, Spencer lives the lifestyle of a leader and role model. She does this by leading the BVSW prayer team every Friday morning, speaking at FCA meetings, and setting time to share her testimony and music at school.
The Road to Success
Spencer had her first solo performance at age four called “Happy Birthday Jesus!” It was a Christmas special at her church.
“Just being able to hold a microphone for the first time,” said Spencer. “I fell in love with singing.”
At that age, Spencer looked up to her mother for musical inspiration. Jo Spencer, lead worship at the church they attend when Jaeky was a child.
“My mom has been singing in church for as long as I can remember,” said Jaeky Spencer.
Down the road in middle school, she auditioned for Grace Churches’ youth worship band. This is where she got the experience and confidence to later tackle larger crowds.
By the time she was a freshman in high school she had already landed a spot on the adult Sunday morning worship team. This means that by the age of 15 she was already performing in front of hundreds of people.
Like many other stars, Jaeky couldn’t have reached this much success without the help of some very influential people in her life.
“My mom showed me love and grace,” says Jaeky Spencer. “She’s always encouraging me to keep writing and pressing forward.”
Jo Spencer has impacted her daughter by buying her time in the recording studio. Also she spends much of her life serving The Lord in attempts to be a positive influence on her daughter. She has always wanted her faith in Christ to be natural and completely integrated as part of daily living, not just a Sunday thing. She has continually encouraged and supported Jaeky every step of the way.
“Although I am very proud of her singing and songwriting ability, and of her determination and self-discipline in studying for school as well as for church, I think what I’m most proud of is her love for Christ that manifests itself in how she loves others around her,” said Jo Spencer. “I know that the music industry is hard to break into, so I want to do what I can to help her pursue her dream.”
Hillary Kyle has also supported and mentored Jaeky in the more spiritual areas of her life. Kyle is the ladies youth director at Grace church. She has focused on teaching Spencer how to be a leader, be humble and how to be courageous in her faith.
“She has been my sister and my mentor,” said Spencer. “She’s always there to strengthen my faith and character.”
Spencer chalks up her musical motivation to head of the worship team, Ben Abussada.
“He has taught me what it looks like to be a worships leader up on stage in front of all those people. But more importantly he has taught me that leading worship doesn’t end when I get off the stage, its something I should take with me everywhere I go,” said Spencer.
The High School Light
Spencer makes it her goal to live her everyday life to serve the Lord and share his love. She hopes to show her fellow classmates the grace that the Lord shows her.
Tori Hass is a junior, and a close friend of Spencer. Being the ‘new girl’ in high school Spencer went out of her way to make Hass feet comfortable and included. Spencer introduced Hass to the BVSW prayer club and brought her to Grace Church, where Hass is now a regular attender.
“Jaeky has a calmness in her personality,”said Tori Hass. “Just by spending a few moments talking with her, you feel more peaceful. She has a pure joy that is seen in all she does.”
The greatest way Spencer knows how to encourage her peers is through her music. She hopes her music is relatable and provides hope.
“I write a song to help someone change their life, and then I realize, it really changed mine too,” said Spencer. “When I write, its when I really hear from God. It creates a way that God can share his love for me, so I can share it with everyone else.”
Many of her peers and friends are strongly affected by her music. Sophomore Cole Kedney has known Spencer since elementary school. In that time Kedney has found that he can rely on her no matter what. He knows her wisdom and her love for the Lord is always inspiring to him.
“Jaeky’s music has impacted me by showing me how to always trust the Lord,” said Cole Kedney. “Her music always brightens my day!”
The Days to Come
Much like her mother, Jaeky spencer hopes to take her next steps and become a worship leader for her profession. Jo Spencer has high hopes for road that twists head and forms Jaeky’s future.
“I know that God is going to use her in a big way,” said Jo Spencer. “ He gives each of us talents to use for him, and He has definitely given Jaeky musical talent as well as a heart for people. I see her performing her original music along with sharing her message to a larger audience, maybe touring or having a speaking circuit that also includes performing her music. She can be as big as Taylor Swift, but in the Contemporary Christian genre.”
Currently, Jaeky Spencer is making a demo C.D. to send off to recording companies. The Spencer household is hopeful to hear the sound of Jaeky’s voice on the radio.
“I’m not really sure what’s coming in the future,” said Jaeky Spencer. “I can’t wait to see where the Lord takes me.”
